Mat Sadler proud despite Walsall being held by Accrington

Posted Sunday, October 27, 2024 by PA

Mat Sadler was proud of his Walsall players despite being unable to find a breakthrough in a goalless draw with Accrington.

The second-placed Saddlers are top scorers in League Two but could not find a way past on-loan Everton keeper Billy Crellin and the Stanley defence.

Crellin kept out a Jamie Jellis free-kick on 54 minutes, with top scorer Nathan Lowe heading over from the rebound.

The Stanley keeper superbly denied Lowe who was clean through on 81 minutes, while Daniel Johnson’s strike was deflected inches wide in added time.

Stanley’s best chance on 51 minutes fell to Manchester United loan defender Sonny Aljofree, with Saddlers keeper Tommy Simkin keeping out his close-range effort with his leg.

Sadler said: “Credit to Accrington, I though they defended really well. We started the game brilliantly but then it got a bit scrappy.

“We talked at half-time about settling down and we did that and, on another day, our chances would have gone in.

“It just didn’t quite fall for us and the lads are disappointed to come away with just a point, which shows how far we have come.

“If you said at the start of the week we would take seven points from three games we would have taken that.

“I am proud of the performance, it was a proper team performance, we showed a togetherness, and you have got to be a happy with a point and a clean sheet away from home. You can’t underestimate that, it’s an important point.”

Stanley boss John Doolan, whose side are now five points clear of the bottom two after propping up the league at the beginning of October, said: “Walsall are a very good side, well-organised and play some good stuff, so I am pleased with how we were defensively sound and with the clean sheet.

“Farrend Rawson was awesome, he headed everything, he was massive for us – he is a proper gladiator. The back five were brilliant and Billy has made some good saves.

“At the beginning of the season, we were a bit fragile in terms of conceding late goals, but you can see that the lads defend as a team and as individuals. A month ago we would have probably lost that game but we are making less mistakes and we are improving.

“We had five good chances and we should have scored but the biggest thing is, if you are not going to win the game, don’t lose it and I am so proud in terms of how the players went about it in keeping that point.

“Our aim is to get as high as we can, we know what we have got in the dressing room and we know we have to keep getting the points.”